Obituaries

Lenny Kelton, 87, a resident of Brentwood, after suffering heart failure late in the evening of December 21st, died peacefully in Santa Monica early in the morning of December 22nd.

Lenny was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on May 18th, 1935 to Cyrene and Victor Luber. The Lubers resided in Milwaukee until 1938 at which time they moved to Detroit, where her brother Donald Luber was born. In 1944 the Lubers moved to Los Angeles. Lenny attended several elementary schools in Los Angeles before entering Beverly Hills High School in 1949. While attending “Beverly High,” she began dating her future husband, the love of her life, David. After graduating from high school, Lenny and David attended UC Berkeley. While at Cal, she became a member of the AEPhi Sorority.

In 1957 Lenny and David were married at the newly opened Beverly Hilton Hotel. Lenny asserted that they were the first to be married there. A few days before they were married, David was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. Shortly after David was discharged from the Navy, in 1959, their first daughter Denise was born. Two and a half years later, in 1962, their second daughter Cheryl was born. In 1964 a third daughter, Lisa, was born. In 1965 a fourth daughter, Jennifer, was born (emes!). Lenny, during the following years, was thrilled to be fully occupied raising their four daughters.

As time went by Lenny became involved in charitable activities. She helped organize the first food fair in Los Angeles for Planned Parenthood. She served on the board of directors for Windward School. Also, she served as president of the UCLA Hospital Auxiliary.

Lenny and David enjoyed frequent vacations with their daughters and grandchildren. Also, they became subscribers and supporters of cultural institutions in Los Angeles including the Center Theater Group, the Los Angeles Opera, the Pasadena Playhouse, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Geffen Theater, and the Hollywood Bowl.

Lenny was overjoyed when six grandchildren were born into the family. Darcy in 1994, Peri and Tristan in 1995, Evan in 1996, and Tiana and Erin in 1997. She especially enjoyed annual trips with David and just their grandchildren.

In addition, Lenny’s life was filled with many many friends. And she enjoyed playing Mahjong with “the girls.”

Lenny is survived by David, her husband of 65 years. Her four daughters, Denise (spouse Paho), Cheryl (spouse Andrew), Lisa, and Jennifer; her six grandchildren, Darcy, Peri, Tristan, Evan, Tiana, and Erin; her brother Donald (spouse Susan); her cousin Donna; her nephew Mark (spouse Carolyn); and her nephew Bim (spouse Sloan).

Services will begin at 10 AM on Friday, December 30th at Hillside Memorial Park located on Centinela Ave. in Los Angeles. A live stream of the service can be found here:
https://hillsidememorial.livecontrol.tv/9664ce58